bet365 Casino Review

Author:

Michael Hawthorne

Published:

8 Jun 2018

Verified:

22 Feb 2019

Rating:

4.5

A reputable and reliable online casino that offers a seamless experience across desktop and mobile. A good selection of games and promotions is combined with a serious approach to responsible play and consumer protection. It may lack the glitz and glamour of some of the modern online casinos, but ticks all the right boxes in almost every other regard.

bet365 Casino Specs

Available at bet365 Casino

Certified Game Payouts

eCOGRA Randomness Certifications

Casino

All Games

97.06%

Blackjack

Live Dealer

Slots Games

93.84%

Roulette

Instant Win

Table Games

97.85%

Video Poker

Bingo

Poker Games

97.93%

Lottery

Video Poker Games

98.39%

Sportsbook

Fixed Odds Games

92.06%

Poker

Card Games

98.27%

Financial

At A Glance

One of the most established online casino operators in the UK, having first gone live in 2001 and now with more than 20 million registered players

Its casino game lobby is dominated by Playtech, but its Games and Vegas tabs offer 800+ titles from major suppliers, including Microgaming and NetEnt

The site is mobile optimised and can be accessed via web and native applications (for iOS and Android)

Players earn Comp Points whether they win or lose, which help them climb higher up the VIP Scheme

The Good

Highly reputable online casino site that is safe and secure

Cutting-edge mobile offering for both browser and native

Plenty of promotions and bonuses for slots players to choose from

Easy-to-navigate design and layout

The Bad

Download casino software is not compatible with Mac desktops or laptops

Large number of games, but there is no search facility

Wagering requirements attached to some bonuses, if a bonus is available it’s automatically applied

Customer service were unable to resolve technical issues

Ratings

Awards

4.0

Game Variety

4.0

Game Quality

4.5

Promotions

3.5

Loyalty Programme

4.5

Withdrawal Speed

4.0

Responsible Gambling

4.5

Overall

4.5

The Backstory

When it comes to market-leading online casinos, you don’t get much better than bet365. The operator has built a formidable reputation for quality and service since first opening its doors back in 2001, providing a wide range of slots and table games across all platforms and devices and positioning itself as a safe and secure environment in which to play online.

The site is operated by Hillside Gibraltar Limited, which holds licences with the Gambling Commission and Gibraltar. Hillside is the parent company of the bet365 Group, which includes a Sportsbook, as well as Bingo, Poker, Games and Vegas sites. These can all be accessed from tabs on the casino homepage, and from a single-player account.

Bet365 was founded by Peter Coates in 1974 as a retail bookmaker, but in 2000, his daughter Denise developed an online sports betting platform, which launched a year later with the help of a £15 million investment from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Four years after that, the bet365 retail shops were sold to Coral for £40m, and the proceeds were used to pay back the loan to the bank.

Since then, the operator has been entirely focused on its online business. It is headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, where it employs more than 3,500 people across a variety of roles. It remains a private company, but previously published figures suggest annual revenues to be more than £1.5bn, with 20 million+ registered customers accessing its sites from around the world.

Bet365 has built its brand around responsible gaming, encouraging its players to enjoy online gambling and treat it as a leisure activity. There are plenty of tools in place to limit deposits, amounts wagered, time played, etc. – all to ensure players remain in control of their betting. This approach has certainly struck a chord with consumers; bet365 Casino is one of the largest and most successful in the UK.

The Lobby

The bet365 homepage is split into tabs, which run across the top – Sports, In-Play, Poker, Bingo, Casino, Games and Vegas. Players simply click on the tab to enter the lobby of their choosing. In the Casino lobby, players can find more traditional slots and table games, while its Games and Vegas lobbies offer slots themed on TV, movie and entertainment brands, and more bold and vibrant titles.

The bet365 Casino lobby

Casino

The bet365 Casino lobby is dominated by Playtech, which supplies the majority of games on offer. It is packed full of player favourites; all told, there are more than 150 titles including Age of the Gods, Robocop, Jade Emperor, and Top Gun. There is also a Hero Slots section, which boasts branded blockbusters Batman and the Joker Jewels, Superman the Movie, Green Lantern and more.

In addition, there are 20+ progressive jackpot games with prize pots offering multimillion-pound payouts, including Age of the Gods, Jackpot Giant, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Funky Fruits, and Mega Ball. There is also a three-reel progressive, Gold Rally, for those who like the style and mechanics of a classic slot but still want the chance to win big.

Players that enjoy mixing slots with table games can get their hands on a reasonably strong selection of 30+ titles. This covers staples such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps and poker, plus more niche games like Stravaganza and sic bo. There are plenty of variants, too, including American, French and European roulette, and multi-player, lucky and perfect blackjack.

The operator also offers in-depth guides to playing each of its table games, which can be found here.

Playtech powers the operator’s live dealer offering, with games available for all the classics including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, as well as sic bo, three-card brag, and dragon tiger. There is a wide range of tables set against different environments, including Asian casinos, bet365-branded tables and VIP rooms. The games are broadcast in high definition from studios in Latvia and Romania.

The problem with offering games from a single supplier is that players can lack choice, even when that supplier is a powerhouse such as Playtech, which has a vast portfolio of titles to choose from. To overcome this, bet365 offers two additional lobbies, Games and Vegas, where players can access titles from all the major suppliers, including Microgaming, NetEnt, NYX, Yggdrasil, Quickspin, and more.

Vegas

The Vegas lobby is bright and colourful; it is modern and visually striking when compared to the Casino lobby. Games are represented by graphics that players click on to access. There are more than 150 titles in total, across slots, video slots, table games and jackpots. This includes chart toppers such as Vikings Go Berzerk, Starburst, Beauty and the Beast, and Dracula.

There is a decent range of table games, with ten offered across roulette, blackjack and poker, and most of the major networked progressive jackpots are available, including Mega Fortune and Hall of Gods. The only one missing is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, but that can be found under the Games tab where there are more than 80 jackpot games in total.

Players can also take advantage of specific Vegas promotions and bonuses, which include missions to be completed in exchange for prizes. Vegas can be accessed both via download and browser. When it comes to mobile, it is available in both web and native application formats (the latter for iOS and Android only) but is a slimmed-down version of the desktop site with fewer games.

Games

The bet365 game lobby is vast, with more than 800 slots and table games on offer. These include arcade games, virtual sports, keno and instant win scratch cards. The games are organised into premium slot, bonus slot, video slot, table games, arcade, jackpot and instant win categories, making it simple to navigate. An easy-to-use search tool also helps players find exactly what they are looking for.

Those who enjoy spinning the reels on branded games will not be disappointed. Titles cover themes and characters from films, television, entertainment and sport, with Game of Thrones, Jurassic World, Mike Tyson, Tarzan, Star Trek, Family Guy, Tomb Raider, and Hit Man slots just a handful of those on offer. Live table games are also available, again powered by Playtech.

The only promotion currently under the Games tab is the same new-player bonus offered to those signing up to bet365 Casino for the first time, which is covered in more detail below. As with the Vegas tab, the lobby can be accessed via download and browser. When it comes to mobile, it is available in both web and native, with applications for iOS and Android.

Bet365 Casino On the Go

Bet365 has done a great job of making its casino available across as many mobile and tablet devices as possible. Those looking for a quick fix can access the site via web browser – Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, etc. – so long as they are playing on devices using iOS 9 or above (iPhone 4 and iPad 2 upwards), or Android devices running on a minimum of Android 4.4.

A good selection of games is available via instant play, including featured titles Legacy of the Wild and Age of the Gods. The instant casino boasts some nice features, too, allowing users to log in with a four-number pin code after the first time they sign-in. The site transitions seamlessly between portrait and landscape modes, and players can enter full screen simply by swiping upwards.

The best mobile experience is offered via native applications for iOS and Android. The applications are sleek and smooth, with fast load times and better performance. The native applications are powered by Playtech, with bet365 Casino the first to launch on the latest version of the supplier’s technology back in 2016. The native apps come with additional tools, such as the ability to save favourite games.

For iOS users, the native application also boasts Touch ID, so you can log in using your thumbprint, and 3D Touch, allowing you to jump quickly to the games you play the most or have chosen as a favourite. It is worth noting, however, that neither feature worked while being tested by Jackpot.co.uk. This was flagged with customer support, who were unable to resolve the issue.

While some live dealer games can be accessed via the instant casino and native apps, there is a dedicated live casino application offering a greater number of games. There are also separate apps for Vegas and Games.

Promotions

bet365 have a selection of promotions starting from the first time sign-up bonus to a variety of time-limited offers. The new player deposit bonus is much like others available, a match bonus on your initial deposit of at least £10. A bonus code is required to claim the bonus – BONUS100 – and you can accept the offer when you open any game to play.

The wagering requirements are 15 times the bonus and it has to be played through on the eligible games. It’s worth noting that the stake contribution percentage varies dependent on the game type. For example slots contribute 100% to wagering whilst Live Hi Lo and a handful of others do not contribute at all. Full details of the T&C’s for the welcome bonus can be found on the dedicated page at bet365 Casino.

For those already registered, there are plenty of ongoing promotions that reward continued play. The bet365 Casino Slots Club rewards players for simply spinning the reels on their favourite slots games, so long as they accumulate a set number of Comp Points each day over the required period. Once a certain number of points has been gathered, the player is awarded a bonus.

The operator is also currently running Red Letter Mondays; simply play in the casino every Monday for the chance to win one of 70 bonuses, totalling £500. The only requirement is that players either deposit or transfer £10 during promotional hours – for each £10 wagered they will receive a ticket into the prize draw. The largest individual bonus is worth up to £50.

Live-dealer aficionados are also catered for, with bet365’s Playback Live Casino bonus. When active, players can earn 10% (up to £100) return on whatever the house takes as a result of their play during the promotional period. In addition, there are seasonal bonuses where players can win a share of large prize pots when playing certain slots games.

Promotions are clearly geared towards slots players, leaving table game fans feeling a little left out. The live dealer cash back offer softens the blow, but it would be great to see bonuses and rewards for those who prefer table games over slots.

Fostering Loyalty

Bet365 Casino has built one of the largest customer bases in the UK and, indeed, around the world. To help keep those players walking through its digital casino doors, the operator has devised a loyalty programme that rewards players for their continued custom. As soon as players join the casino and start wagering, they earn Comp Points, which can be converted into cash.

Players earn points whether they win or lose; 100 points is worth one unit of currency in real money. For example, 250 Comp Points is worth £2.50 in cash, which can instantly be converted and deposited into your wagering account. Again, slots, games and keno earn greater points (three per 10 units of currency) while table games like blackjack, roulette and baccarat earn less (one per 10 units of currency).

It is also worth noting that if you don’t make a deposit into your account for 13 weeks, you forfeit all Comp Points accumulated at that time. The increments at which Comp Points can be redeemed decrease the further up the operator’s VIP Scheme you climb: increments of 100 for Bronze VIP players, in increments of 85 for Silver VIP players and increments of 75 for Gold VIP players.

Players climb higher up the VIP Scheme ranks based on the number of Comp Points earned – 150,000 for Silver and 500,000 for Gold. Those who achieved Gold status receive a £350 Milestone Bonus, tailored bonuses and a VIP account manager. To maintain their status, they must accrue 2,500 Comp Points every three months, but receive a £1,000 Milestone Bonus when they pass 1.5 million Comp Points.

Depositing and Withdrawing

Bet365 Casino covers all the bases when it comes to depositing and withdrawing, from Visa and MasterCard (debit and credit) to e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. Bank transfers are also an option, as are prepaid cards such as paysafecard and even cheques. Mobile players will also be pleased to find that Apple Pay is accepted, as is Skrill 1-Tap.

Unlike some other online casino sites, there are no withdrawal fees regardless of method used, but the money must be paid back via the same method it was deposited and into an account held by the player. Minimum withdrawals are as follows:

Debit card

£5

Credit card

£5

Skrill

£5

Neteller

£10

PayPal

£10

Entropay

£50

paysafecard

£5

Bank wire

£100

iDebit

£10

Cheque

£100

There are no set withdrawal maximums per day, but amounts over £20,000 can take longer to process as they require additional checks.

The operator also holds a separate bank account for player funds, which means balances are protected should bet365 run into financial difficulty or go into liquidation. The separate-player-funds account meets requirements set out under the Gambling Commission’s “medium” level of protection.

Fair Play

Bet365 Casino has built a reputation as being a respectable, safe and secure online casino. It takes player protection seriously, and is a champion for fair payouts. Its random number generator has been tested by Gaming Laboratories International, while all bets placed are audited by TST, which is part of GLI.

The operator is committed to responsible gambling, and has tools and features in place to ensure players are betting within their means. At sign up, players are given the option to set a range of deposit and play limits, and also receive a separate email explaining these tools once their account has been created.

Players who do have a complaint – such as the outcome of a game, or losses or winnings – should first raise the issue with customer support, who will follow the operator’s complaints procedure. In the event of an unsatisfactory outcome, players can escalate their issue with bet365’s Alternative Dispute Resolution body, IBAS.

Customer Support

Bet365 has a comprehensive customer support offering, with a dedicated team on hand to address any questions or concerns you may have. They are available on email, phone, live chat and via letter, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – unless you correspond by post, which takes longer. Live chat is instant, and the fastest way of resolving your issue. The support agents we spoke with were polite and friendly, but did struggle to overcome a couple of minor technical issues with the native iOS app – we were unable to set up fingerprint log in.

Finer Details

Operator:

Hillside Gibraltar Ltd

Established:

2001

Related Brands:

bet365.com

Remote Licence:

Gibraltar (Gaming RGL No. 035)

Gambling Commission Licence:

39584

Other Certifications:

Gaming Laboratories International, TST, iTech Labs

Awards:

bet365 has topped the eGaming Review Power 50 list on more than five occasions

Withdraw:

Software:

Software Type:

Security:

Support Options:

Live chat, phone, email, post

Support email:

support-eng@customerservices365.com

Live chat:

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Telephone:

01782 684 757

FAQs

Is bet365 Casino licensed? If so, by who?

Yes. Bet365 Casino is licensed by the Gambling Commission as well as the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. Its random number generator has been tested by Gaming Laboratories International, and data and transactions are encrypted behind an SSL from Thawte. The operator is one of the most established and reputable online casino sites available to players in the UK.

What is the welcome bonus at bet365 Casino?

New players receive a 100% bonus up to £100. The bonus does come with a wagering requirement, however, of 20 times your initial wager and bonus. Other bonuses are offered for those already signed up to the site, including Red Letter Mondays, and cashback on live table game wagers.

How does the operator’s loyalty scheme work?

Players accrue Comp Points on every wager, whether they win or lose. The more points you earn, they higher up the operator’s VIP Scheme you climb. Players start on bronze, and move up to silver (150,000 points) and then on to gold (500,000) points. Silver and gold-level players receive cash bonuses, tailored promotions and their own account manager (gold).

Is there a good selection of slots and table games?

The bet365 Casino lobby is stocked mostly with games from Playtech. There is a good selection to choose from, including original and branded slots and table games, as well as progressive jackpots and live dealer. The operator also has Games and Vegas lobbies, where players can access more than 800 games from all the major suppliers.

Can I play at the bet365 Casino from my mobile or tablet device?

Yes. The site is mobile optimised, and can be accessed from almost any smartphone or tablet device and operating system in-browser. There are also native applications available for iOS and Android. The native apps offer a slightly better experience with richer graphics and faster load times.

Conclusion

The bet365 Casino is reliable, safe and secure; it does exactly what is says on the tin, and it does it well. For those looking for a well-established operator with a stellar reputation, a good selection of games that are available across desktop and mobile, then you really can’t go wrong. In short, it’s a safe pair of hands.

The site has a simple design and layout, and is easy to navigate. Games are categorised under tabs such as Slots Games, Hero Slots and Table Games to help players find the titles they are looking for. That said, a search tool would certainly help those who know exactly which games they want to play, and is something the operator should be able to add quite easily.

Its game portfolio is solid. Most of the games are powered by Playtech with a nice mix of original and branded slots, large progressive jackpots and table and card games. The big hitters are there – Age of the Gods, Jackpot Giant, Robocop – although a little variety never hurt anyone, and the bet365 Casino lobby would certainly benefit from a few additional titles from other suppliers.

The Games and Vegas lobbies do offer this variety, with 800+ games from the likes of NetEnt, Quickspin, Microgaming and Yggdrasil. Players can use their Casino account to access these lobbies, but they must transfer funds between their Casino, Games and Vegas wallets, which is a bit of a pain. Bonus balances can’t be transferred, either.

When it comes to promotions and bonuses, bet365 Casino does a good job of incentivising its slots players, but there is little there for those who primarily play table and card games. What’s more, some of the bonuses come with steep wagering requirements. While this is to be expected, new casino operators such as PlayOJO are doing away with wagering requirements in a bid to be more transparent.

These are minor things, however, and overall bet365 Casino is one of the best on offer. The site will appeal to new players looking for an established and reputable online casino as well as veteran players who like to play popular slots and table games in a safe and secure environment. With a few small tweaks, it would cement its position as one of the best.

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